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Escapes

Our Escapes are four-day trips to iconic cycling regions: quick fixes of pure cycling in a format that fits into busy modern lifestyles.

While you’re with us, all you’ll have to do is concentrate on exploring classic roads, both in Europe and the US, and test your legs on infamous climbs such as Mont Ventoux. We’ll take care of the rest, in signature Rapha style. In just a few days, our expert guides will show you the best views, coffee stops and ‘locals-only’ hidden gems that each region has to offer. And, when not riding, you can relax in beautiful surroundings, enjoy great local cuisine and deepen the friendships forged on testing gradients. You’ll return home refreshed and revived, and with an invaluable top up to your cycling fitness and your motivation.

Because they are based in one location and are shorter in duration, Escapes are suitable for a wide range of riders, including those relatively new to road cycling. Please check out the difficulty rating for each one (from 2/5 for Cote D’Azur, Tuscany or Girona to 5/5 for the Cinglés de Ventoux), and get in touch if you need any explanations. Please note: a number of trips from our 2017 calendar (and earlier seasons) have been renamed from either ‘Ascent’ or ‘Pro Team Camp’ to ‘Escape’ for 2018. Our team at travel@rapha.cc can help out with any questions.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

The fact that we could load up with food for the ride, not to mention the freshly-made pocket size snacks wrapped to consume while on the go, was a pleasant surprise and totally unexpected. The availability of food and gels in addition to well-stocked ice boxes and more than a wilting sandwich for lunch was also excellent.

— Ventoux Ascent, June 2016

The guides were excellent: happy to have fun poked at them and were not shy with their own retorts; their pacing and advice on the harder climbs was great and made those tougher parts more bearable and enjoyable; some thought had obviously gone into the routes which were good, on quiet roads with some spectacular views along the way, again helping to make the painful bits worthwhile.

— Ventoux Ascent, June 2016

FAQ

What kind of assistance can riders expect on the road?

When you’re riding you’ll always have at least one ride guide on the road with the group. There will also be a mechanic with a full tool kit and spare parts not far away – usually in a support car behind the group. Your guides and mechanics will be able to help you out with ride food and drink, as well as local knowledge, first aid, a morale-boosting chat and – if necessary – a hand to push you up the hill if you’ve run out of energy. They’ll do everything they can to keep you and your bike on the road but, if for any reason you can’t make it to the end, they’ll always make sure there’s a seat in a vehicle so you get safely home.

Can I rent a bike?

We have a fleet of top-specification bikes available for hire on our European departures. We ask that guests requiring a bike tell us as far as is possible in advance, so we can guarantee the right size is available, and also to send us your fit measurements, so our mechanics can set up the bike for you ready for the start of your trip. If you’re renting a bike you need to remember to bring your helmet and pedals.